Foot measuring machine



A. D. A, DEL PESCO FQOT MEASURING MACHINE Filed Sept. 23, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 nuontwaa. DEL PESCO Filed Sept. 23, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 5, 1943.

A. D. A. DEL PESCO FOOT MEASURING MACHINE Oct. 5, 1943. A. D. A. DEL PESCO FOOT MEASURING MACHINE Filed Sept. 23 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gwum'vbo't" ANDREW 0. )4. on R6560 lf Patented Oct. 5, 1943 UNITED Y STATES PATENT OFFICE moor MEASURING MACHINE Andrew'D'. A. Del Pesco, Danielson, Conn. Application September 23, 1 41 Serial No. 412,027

v 3 Claims; (01. 33-3) This invention relates generallyto measuring and indicating devices andlmore particularly to an improved foot measuring machine.

One object of theinvention'is toprovide a foot measuring machine by the use of which it will be possible to measure a patientlsor customers feet quickly and accurately so that the proper size and style of; shoe may be readily determined. ,Another object of, the invention is to provide amachine of this character whichwill be operative for permitting accuratedetermination, even in fractions or percentages, of alrchweaknesses, extension of 'feet through elongation, amountnoi adduction or abduction, pronation of heel and ankle, amount of pressure force'dat first metatarsal and lower baseoi .fibula, and the inner edge of oscalsis. V 1.

A further object opthe'invention is to'provide a foot measuring machine wherein the'ioot plates employed are so mounted that .they'niay be-ele vated from an inoperative position to various operative positions in a:tunii'orm manner so that excessive pressure" at any one point onthe root of a patient or customer will be avoided.

A further object of the-invention is to provide a root: measuring machine employing 'means' for causing flexing at the medio-tarsaljoint while allowing gradual return of the sustantaculum tali to its natural position, means also being employed 101' allowing both the operator and-the patient or custom'erto observe the operations, from comi'ortable positions, during'said operation. I

Still another object of the 'invention is to pro-' vide a measuring-machine 'of tne character men tioned having means for permitting the easy recording ordata relating to a; particular-customers or'patientsieet and obtained during a measuring operation, so thatsaid data maybe referred to alter the said customer or patient has stepped away irom the machine. I g And a still further objectof the invention is to prov de afoot measuring imacnine' wherein ad- Justafble guides and interohangeablefffoot' plate covers are employed to allow'for measurement or I rigid; flexible, traumatic,"weak,'flat, tender,.inf

shape of human arch.

J'ured, hollow, or any other type, sizewidtn or Another object of the mtefi mm is to provide a root. measuring machine 'which'isattractive in appearance andv which is capable of easy opera; tion by an operatorfrom a comfortablepcsition. H Other objects of'the invention, not S116cifi al1y mentioned hereinbefore, will become apparent during ,theecourse of the followingdescriptionr;.

In the drawings forming a part of my applicawill be employed to designate likepartsthrough v Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of my improved foot measuring'machine, 1 t i, I of hem- Fi ll je2 isfa vertical sectional view Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2 lookingin thedirection of the arrows,

' Figure 4 isa vertical transverse on the line 44 of Figure 2, M I Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectionalgview on the line 55-of Figure 2, I

Figure 6 is an enlargeddetail sectionalview on the line filifof Eigurefi,

Figure? is anenlarged detail end view showing one of, the switches employed, 3 Figure 8 is a detail top plan view, on an enlarged scale, showing one of the indicators emp y I 7 Figure-9 is a transversefsectional view on the line St -9,01? Figure 8, I

' Figure 10' is a diagrammatic view show'ingthe wiring diagram employed;

Figure 11 is a detailperspectiveview, enlarged, showing, one-or the removable insoles 156 mounted on one of the footplates, and i 5;;

showing-one of; the; recording scalesp In the drawings similar numerals of reference Figure 12 is an1enlarged detail perspective view out the'various views.

. The numeral I indicates in general the cabinet of my improved foot measuring machine, "The cabinet I isof substantially L shape,lis.formed 1 of wood, metal, orothersuitable material, and includes a vertical leg or section '2 and a ;hor'i+v zontal lower section 3. The vertical section'j'i .is

substantially frusto-pyramidal in shape and includesa ,front wall 4, side walls 5 and ligand a top wall I, said top wall being substantiallvrec tangular in shape. Aswill be seen in Figure 2 a the section 2 includes arear wall 8 whichextends are joine'dat their meeting ends by beads lg It should be. understood thatyariousmodifications n in the design of myimproved footmeasuring machine may be resorted to ,without departing from the spirit of theinvention or thescop'e of the claims appended to this specification-6Tb? front wall 4 terminates-short of the lower erid of the section 2 andis cut away at ID to provide a sightopening, the purposefor'which will set forth in more detailhereinafter. A I

sectional View.

The horizontal section 3 includes a top wall II which may be decorated ornamentally if desired.

Mounted in the top wall is a preferably metal plate I2, said plate extending throughout the major portion of the central area of the wall H. As will be seen in Figure 2, the top wall H extends inwardly beneath the wall 4 of the section 2 and has its end disposed in spaced relation to the rear wall 8. The section 3 also includes side walls l3 and H, a bottom wall I5, which defines a base for the entire machine, and a front wall I5.

Mounted on the top wall substantially me.- dially of its length and inwardly of the section 2 is an upwardly inclined mirror l1. Formed in the top wall 1 of the section 2 near the forward edge thereof is an oblong sight opening l8, said sight opening being disposed above the mirror I1. Mounted on the under surface of the wall1 and surrounding the sight opening i8 is a sight tunnel or tube l9, said tube extending downwardly in the section 2 and terminating in spaced relation above the mirror I1; The sight tube I8 is rectangular in cross section and is-graduallyen larged toward its lower end. As shown at 28, the tube has the lower end portion of the rear wall cut away so as to permit full vision of the mirror I1. Formed in thetop wall 1 of the section 2 near its rear edge is a relatively small sight opening 2|, the purpose for which will be setforth in more detail hereinafter. A shield 22-, of metal, partially surrounds the sight opening 2|.

Mounted on the top wall 1 of the section 2 between the rear edge thereof and the sight opening 2|, and substantiallymediall-y of the length of said top wall, is a selector control switch 23. Also mounted on the top wall 1-, at eachside of the sight openings and between said sight openings and the ends of said top wall, are indica tors 24 and 25 which are shaped, respectively,- to resemble the left and right human feet. Also mounted on the top wall 1. at the front corners thereof are handles 25, and. arrangedalong the rear margin of said top wall, as best seenin Figure 12, are recorde'rsZL-Said recorders each including a plate 2 8-, ha-vi-ng a scale thereon,and a rotatable pointer 25. The handles 25- are for manual engagement by a patient or customer who is having his fe'et'measured, said handles permitting the customer to steady himself during the operation. The construction of the indicators 24 and 25 and the purpose oi the switch 23 and the recorders 21 will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. 1

The mechanism for raising the arches of acustomers or patients feet will now be described. The plate I2 is formed with openings 30: and 3| which are disposed near the opposite side edges of said plate |2. The openings are of oblong shape and alined with similar openings in the wall 1|. Hingedly mounted in the openings 36 and 3|, respectively, are foot plates 32a'rid 3 3-, said plates being shaped to conform to the arch of the human foot and having corresponding edgepor tions swingingl-y connectedwiththe plate l2 by hinges 34. The'foot plates '32- and 33 are-identical in their details of construction; the plate 32 being for engagement with the arch of the left foot while the plate 33 being adapted for engagement with the arch of the right foot. A descri-ption of the details of con-struction'of one of the plates is thought to su-flice for both. The plate 33 includes a dependinglug 35 whi eh i's-disposed near the free edge of said plate andsubstantially medially of its length. The-plate 33 also includes a laterally extending integral lever which is formed at its free end with a yoke for engagement with the upper end of a link 31. The lower end of the link is connected with the upper end of a rack forming a part of a multipoint switch, the construction of which will be described in more detail hereinafter. As will be observed, the link 31 projects through an opening 38 in the plate l2. A guard 39, of substantially inverted U shape formati-on, straddles the opening 38 and efiectively protects the end portion of the lever 36.

Mounted on the bottom wall l5 of the section 3 of the cabinet are liftin jacks 43 and 4|, the jack4-0 being adapted for use with the foot plate 32 and the jack: 4| being operatively connected with the plate 33. Inasmuch as the jacks are of identical construction and are of well known design, it is not deemed necessary to describe them in minute detail. Suffice it to state that the jack 4|, which is typical, includes a plunger 42 which has-its upper end connected withthe lug 35. The jacks and 4| include -operating levers 43 and 44, respectively, said levers projecting rearwardly through the section- 3 and through the rear wall 8, said wall being slotted, as shown in dotted lines-at 45 A tre'adle- 46 is mounted on the outer end of each of the levers for engagement by the foot of the operator for raisingthe jacks; Springs 41 are. connected between the levers 43 and 44, near their mid-portions, and at transversely extending mounting block 48' which is mounted against the innersurfaceof the wall 8 near its upper end; The springs 41 will, of course, retain the lovers 43 and 44 normally in raisedinoperative positions. It. will now be understood that, when it is desired to raise the foot plate 33, forexample, it is only necessary to raise and lower, or pump, the. lever 44:, when the jack plunger 35. of the jack 4| will be raised. As the jack-plunger is elevated, thecplate 33 will be swung upwardly about the. pivot. defined by the pin. of the hinge 34.. When it is desired to lower the plate 33. to inoperative position or to a position for showing. the. normal height of a patients orcustomerjs arch, it is only necessary to. release the jack may be done by operating the re: lease. mechanism 45,. which is of conventional construction The release mechanism is operated by mechanism which includes a handle 50,, which is mounted on a stub, shaft 5| which projects through the mounting block 48andthrough the wall 8, Mounted on the stub shaft, 5| is a beveled gear 52 whi ch isadaptedto mesh with a beveled pinion 53 which is carried on a vertical operating rod 54. A beveled pinion 5,5 is carried on the lower end of the rod 54 and is. adapted to mesh with 'a beveled gear 56 which is carried on a horizontal operating shaft 51. The shaft 51 has a univefs'al'j'oint 5.8j whieh is connected with the jack and, at its other end, the shaft 51 is fournale'd' bya bearing 59 which is" mounted on the bottom wall l5 nafthe rear wall 8. Rotation of the handle will, as will be understood, be transferred to the mechanism '49 through the rods 54 and 5'1'and'throughthegears 52, 53; and 56, for releasing the jack from a raised operative position. The mechanism for releasing the jack.

should also be understoodthat the jacks 40. and 4| may be raised by electrically or hydraulically operated means, if so desired.

Mounted adjacent each of the jacks 40-and 4| are mirror point switch assemblies 60 andjl; re- 5 spectively. The. switch assembly 6| is typical so that a .description of both willnot be necessary. The switch" assembly 6| isbest seen in Figures14, 5 and dot the drawings and includesa bracket62 which carries a guide framefifi at its upper-send,

an operating rack 64 which has its upperend pivotally connected to the link 31. The switch 6| has a rotatable shaft 65 mounted near the upper end of the bracket 62 and said rotatable 3 to the operating rack 64. The raising of the op- I crating rack 64 will cause rotation of the shaft.

65 with the result that the contact, member- 6 9 will be rotated for selectively ngaging the contacts 88.

The detailed construction of the indicator 24,

which is typical, will now be set forth. Theindicator 24 is, as stated, in the general shape of the human left foot. As best seen in- Figure 9, the indicator 24 includes'a base and a translucent cover 7|. Thearch portion of the indicator is divided into a plurality offcompartments 12, in each of which is mounted abu1b l3. The cover. H is provided with indicia for indicating the number of each of ,the compartments.

In the cabinet I on the bottom l5 thereof is mounted a transformer"; said transformer having primary wires connected'with a, source of electric'current throughatoggle switch which is mounted on the rear wall 8 near the upper end thereof and medially of the width of said wall. The transformer also includes secondary wires which are connected selectively with the switch assemblies 6|] and ill, the selected switch 23, and the bulbs 13 in the indicators 24 and 25. In Figure 10 of the drawings, I, have shown the wiring diagram and reference will now be had more particularly to that view. One terminal of the secondary transformer 14 is connected, by a conductor [6 to corresponding terminals of all of the bulbs 13 in each of the indicators 24 and 25. The other terminal of the secondary is connected with the switch arm of the selector switch 23. One of the contacts of the switch 23 is connected with the shaft 65 of the assembly 60 and the other contact of the switch 23 is connected with the shaft 65 of the assembly 6L. Each of the contacts 68 is connected with one of the remaining terminals of each of the bulbs in the indicator 24. The contacts 68 of the other switch assembly are connected with the remaining terminalsof the bulbs E3 in the indicator 25. At I1 is shown a pilot light and this pilot light is connected across the secondary terminals by conductors!!! and 80.

By referring particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that the plates 32 and 3.3 are each provided with sockets 8| which receive snaps 82 on which are carried insoles or pads 83. The pads or insoles 83 are thus re- .movably mounted on the plates 32 and and 110 said guide frame providingv means for guidin serve the purpose of:-insulating the foot from I the bare surface of the plates and also of biasing arches to a-desired degree. That is to say,

the insoles or pads 83 may be stuffed so as'to Inview of the provide arch supports or lifts. provision of the snaps-82, the padsmay, as stated,

be quickly-removed fromthe plates when 'de-' .sired. A

Adjustably mounted onthe plate |2"and co-' operatingwith the? foot plates 32 and 33 are guides Bland 85, said-guides serving the purpose of retaining the feet in proper position with respectito the plates 32 and 33' so that :aniac'curate measurement ,of the arches may be assured; The

guides are provided with pins 86 which are re ,movably engageable in sockets 81 tojpermit eij ,therlongitudinal or lateral adjustment. The operation of the inventionwill now be briefly, set forth. When it is desired to measure a patients arches, to determinetheamount of correction, if'any; necessary for assuring maxi-V mum ,foot health, it is only necessary for. the

patient or customer to remove hisshoes andto 5 3 P place his feet on the foot plates 32 and .33., The

operator thenMdeterm-ines-which foot huwill measure first and throws the'switch'23. accordingly, Letit be assumedthatthe operator-desires to measure the. left foot first. It is only necessary for him to throw the-switch for connecting the switch assembly 60 in the circuit with the secondary of the transformer, the switch 75 having beenthrown for energizing thetranse former, windings. j The operator then engages his foot with the treadle 46, on the lever-:43 :and rapidly pumpssaid lever up" a dI oWn for aising the jack plunger 35 and thus, theflfoot plate 32.; As the plunger is raised, the operating rack,

64 will be raised for rotating the contactmembers 69 ,and progressively connecting the bulbs l3 with the transformer secondary. More spew v that the ,first' bulb ,te-teilluminated as operation is begun willbe'th'at in the compartment 12 which is nearest theinside'ofthefoot.

As the contact member rotates uponcontinuous raising of the plunger35,.the bulbs in the compartments will be illuminated selectively and pro-\- gressively inwardly so that, when'the plate 32 is in its maximum raised position, the innermost bulb will be illuminated for indicating thatthe maximum height of the plate has been reached. It should be understood, however, that it will normally not be necessary to raise the plate 32 The plate is, however,

to. its maximum height. raised to the height at which the arch should be disposed for maximum health. The operator takes notice of this height 'by observing which of the bulbs in: the compartment 12 is illuminated. He then rotates the pointer 29 to indicate, on the scale 28, the number beneath which the illuminated bulb is located. The operator then rotates the handle 50 for releasingthe-re-j lease mechanism and allowing the pressure of tomers foot may be suflicient to return the plate to such a position that'the bulb in the compartmen't beneath the numeral 4 will be illuminated. The operator will then set the next recorder to i 4. He thus has a recording of the height of" the arch of the patients or customers foot and 11y, the bulbs are so; connected with the the height said arch should be in order for said patient or customer to enjoy maximum foot health and comfort. He can then provide shoes with arches so formed to produce the necessary support.

After the arch of the. left foot hasbeerr measured, in the manner hereinbefore set. forth, the operator will turn his attention to the right foot. In order to measure the right foot, the switch 23 is changed and the operation hereinbefore described is repeated by the plate. 33 and i tsassociated mechanism.

It is desired particularly to call attention to the fact that, in view of the provision of the sight opening-s l8 and 2|, both the patient and the operator may observe the action of the-foot plates during a measuring'operation. Thus, the operator can point out to the patient any particular irregularities: in his arch structure during the measuring operation, The amount of arch weakness, extension of feet through elongati'on, adduction or abduction,- and pronation may thus be determined,- so that proper corrective measures may be instituted.

' Attention is particularly directed to the fact that, invie'w of the particular mounting of" the plates 32 and 33, uniform pressure ohthe arch will be assured as said arch is being raised. Discomfort will thus be avoided.

It is believed that it will be understood that, by the use of my improved foot measuring machine, it will be possible to determine, quickly and accurately, the proper measurements of a patients or customersfeet so that shoes with proper arch supports may be provided.

It should also be understood that various modifications in the construction herei-hbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

It is believed that-the constrution and ation of my machine will now be thoroughly u nderstood. I

Havingthus described the invention, what is claimed as new i's-z 1. A foot measuring machine including a cabinet having a vertical section and a. horizontal section, arch elevating means carried by the horizontal section, electrically operated indicating devices carried by the vertical section and being inthe shape of the human feet, and means I connected with thearch elevating means and electrically connected with the indicating devices and with a; source of electric current for indicating on the indicating devices various positrouser the arches during a foot measuring operation.

2. A device of the class described including a machine having a vertical section and a horizontal section, a foot plate carried by the horizontalsection, means for elevating the foot plate for raising the arch of a human foot to a normal position, indicating means on the vertical sectionfor indicating the various positions of the arch, said vertical section having a front wall cut away near its lower end, a mirror mounted in the cabinet above the top-wall of the horizontal section and beneath the front wall, a sight tunnel mounted on the vertical section, and a sight opening in the vertical section above the sight tunnel, said sight tunnel and mirror permitting observation by a customer of his feet during a foot measuring operation.

3. In a device of the class described, a foot plate, ajack for raising the foot plate for raisingan arch of the humanfoot to a normal position, an electric switch connected with the foot plate, and means connected with the electric switch and with a source of electric current for indicating various positions of'the arch, said switchincluding a bracket, an operating rack,

'a shaft, a pinion on the shaft and engageable with the operating rack, a; plurality of contacts, and a contact member rotatable with the shaft and selectively engageable with the contacts for closing an electric circuit to the indicator.

ANDREW D. A. DEL PESCO. 

